Fame and wealth without understanding are not stable possessions.

[Δόξα καὶ πλοῦτος ἄνευ ξυνέσιος οὐκ ἀσφαλέα κτήματα.]

Democritus (c. 460 BC - c. 370 BC) Greek philosopher

Frag. 77 (Diels) [tr. @sententiq (2018)]
    (Source)

Original Greek. Diels citation "77. (78 N.) DEMOKRATES. 42."; collected in Joannes Stobaeus (Stobaios) Anthologium 3, 4, 82. Bakewell lists this under "The Golden Sayings of Democritus." Freeman notes this as one of the Gnômae, from a collection called "Maxims of Democratês," but because Stobaeus quotes many of these as "Maxims of Democritus," they are generally attributed to the latter. Alternate translations:

• "Fame and wealth without wisdom are unsafe possessions." [tr. Bakewell (1907)]
• "Fame and wealth without intelligence are dangerous possessions." [tr. Freeman (1948)]
• "Reputation and wealth without intelligence are unsafe possessions." [tr. Taylor]
• "Fame and wealth without understanding are not secure possessions." [Source]